HomeKit Weekly: Aqara releases new entry-level smart deadbolt lock with Apple home key support
was an immediate hit when released last year thanks to its low cost and support for Apple home key. Today, Aqara has just released the new Aqara U50 entry-level deadbolt lock, which also retains Apple home key and Matter support. more…

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Spotify will kill Car Thing units later this year, tells owners to throw them away
Spotify has just announced that Car Thing, its discontinued car display, is dying. As in, the company will be killing any remaining units later this year. more…

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Here’s your chance to nab M3 MacBook Pro models for up to $300 off
If you're in the market for a new laptop, you can't do much better than up to $300 off M3 MacBook Pro models. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple Wi-Fi network vulnerability could leak your location in real-time
Macworld Apple’s location services are handy, with many useful functions such as Find My, maps, routes, and Emergency SOS calls. However, researchers at the University of Maryland have discovered a crucial vulnerability in the way Apple’s location services work, which could allow an unauthorized person to access data on millions of routers and potentially information on a person’s movements without much effort. As reported by Krebs on Security, Erik Rye and Dave Levin from the University of Maryland have discovered one aspect of Apple’s location services that works strangely. Positioning via WLAN instead of GPS GPS and its constant queries are energy-intensive, so smartphone manufacturers try to use alternatives when available. An economical method of determining a device’s location is to analyze the data from surrounding Wi-Fi networks and calculate location based on the networks detected and the current signal strength. Apple and Google operate their databases with active Wi-Fi network names (Wi-Fi-based Positioning Systems, WPS for short), which make these calculations much easier. The researchers discovered an oddity in the way Apple’s WPS works: the system sends the necessary data to the user’s device so that these calculations can be carried out locally. But apparently, Apple’s WPS server sends up to 400 other known Wi-Fi networks that may be in the approximate vicinity of the device as part of its crowdsourcing location database. From this list, the requesting device searches for eight possible variants and calculates its location based on this data. Apple’s WPS system, the iOS device, and the router on which the network is based operate with the so-called BSSIDs (Basic Service Set Identification) and usually correspond to the MAC address of the device, which is static in most cases. Data from almost 500 million WLAN networks The researchers took advantage of this fact and used a Linux computer (not a Mac) to query Apple’s WPS servers for valid BSSIDs and their locations. They simply created the initial BSSID for the request using a random generator. Using the already known lists registered with the IEEE, which router manufacturers use for their products, the number of guessed BSSIDs can be narrowed down significantly. For their experiment, the researchers used 16,384 (2^14) randomly generated BSSID parts. The request via Apple’s APIs is free, so Rye and Levin sent 30 requests per second with 100 guessed BSSIDs. You can disable Apple’s location services on your network so it won’t be visible to Apple’s database. You can disable Apple’s location services on your network so it won’t be visible to Apple’s database.Martyn Casserly You can disable Apple’s location services on your network so it won’t be visible to Apple’s database.Martyn Casserly Martyn Casserly In the experiment, the researchers queried a total of 1,124,663,296 BSSIDs, and around 0.25 percent (2,834,067), were known to Apple. However, due to the way Apple’s location calculation works, the servers also sent additional registered BSSIDs, meaning that the researchers obtained data from a further 488,677,543 Wi-Fi networks. The researchers monitored the data from almost half a billion Wi-Fi routers over the period from November 2022 to November 2023 and used it to make their observations, particularly in crisis regions. Using the manufacturer part of the MAC address, Rye and Levin were able to identify around 3,000 Starlink terminals in Ukraine. During the period observed, it was also possible to determine the location of some of them. However, the information on the current static location alone is life-threatening in the wrong hands, as it indicates the location data of the Ukrainian military units. In Gaza, the researchers also monitored the development of the number of registered BSSIDs and their movements. After October 7, 2023, and until the end of November 2023, the number of Wi-Fi networks registered in the Gaza Strip decreased by 75 percent, with some moving from north to south. How to exclude your Wi-Fi from Apple’s database The researchers contacted Apple, Google, Starlink, and several other manufacturers with their discovery. It’s not clear if Apple will change the way it handles Wi-Fi networks, but it did update a support document to provide a way for anyone to opt out of this data collection. To do this, you need to add the character string “_nomap” to the end of the name (SSID) of your network. This also applies to Google and its WPS. With Microsoft, you must enter your MAC address in a form so that the manufacturer can add it to a block list in its database. This can take up to five days. iOS, iPhone, Security Software and Services

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Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs attempts a boardroom coup
On May 23, 1985, the Apple co-founder tried to seize control of the company. Steve Jobs' boardroom coup attempt led to his ouster from Apple. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple launches Tap to Pay on iPhone in Canada
Apple on Thursday launched Tap to Pay on iPhone in Canada, empowering millions of merchants to use iPhone to… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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All-Screen M5 MacBook With Foldable Display To Launch in 2026, Analyst Says
An anonymous reader shares a report: Apple is working on all-screen foldable devices. Unlike its competitors, however, its focus seems less on foldable smartphones and tablets, and instead on an all-screen foldable laptop. Ming-Chi Kuo has previously reported that Apple was developing a 20.3-inch MacBook device for 2027, but today the analyst has shared several key new details about the futuristic MacBook model. One such detail is that Apple is now eyeing an earlier 2026 launch for the product. Here are some of the key features Kuo expects to see in the all-screen MacBook: 1. Multiple foldable screen options are still possible, with the rumored 20.3-inch display potentially replaced by an 18.8-inch panel. The former would, when folded, resemble a current 14-15-inch MacBook, while the latter would correspond better to a modern day 13-14-inch model like the smaller MacBook Air. 2. A 2026 debut is now expected for the device, one year earlier than previously reported. 3. The MacBook is expected to receive an M5-series chip, which lines up with the expected timeline of the M4 spreading to the whole Mac lineup by the end of 2025. 4. Apple's goal is to provide a crease-free design for the foldable display. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Apple 16GB 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro at $200 off, green AirPods Max $100 off, Apple Watch GPS + Cell from $250, more
The early Memorial Day deals roll on, but today we spotted the stock maxed out 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro with 16GB of memory and a 1TB SSD back down at the $1,799 low. From there, the green AirPods Max are now joining the rest of the colorways at $100 off, previous-generation Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 9 GPS + Cell models are seeing deep price drops (some of the best ever), and one of our favorite 15W MagSafe chargers is joining the fun too. Take a closer look at today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break deals below. more…

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Save $400 on Apple's M3 Max MacBook Pro 16-inch with 64GB RAM
The cheapest M3 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro price on record for a loaded configuration with 64GB RAM and a 1TB SSD is available exclusively to AppleInsider readers via a stacked $400 discount, plus $80 off AppleCare.Save $400 on a loaded M3 Max MacBook Pro 16.A new price drop has been picked up by the AppleInsider Price Guide, delivering the lowest price on record. The $400 discount is courtesy of a $200 instant rebate at Adorama stacked with a $200 off coupon with promo code APINSIDER.Use code APINSIDER Continue Reading on AppleInsider

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Canadian firms finally get Tap to Pay on iPhone
Apple has rolled out its Tap to Pay on iPhone to Canada, meaning that businesses there can now take payments from customers on iPhone.Tap to Pay on iPhone comes to Canada (Source: Apple)Two years after Apple first launched it in the US, Tap to Pay on iPhone is now available to merchants in Canada, allowing them to accept contactless payments using their phones instead of dedicated readers. It also enables app developers to incorporate the feature into their iOS apps."Canadians increasingly rely on a variety of digital and contactless payment options," Jennifer Bailey, Apple's vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, said in a statement, "so we're excited to partner with payment platforms to offer merchants across Canada a private, secure, and easy-to-use capability that meets customers where they are." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple said to debut foldable MacBooks in 2026
A new report from TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo estimates that Apple could ship more than 1 million devices with… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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System Settings getting shuffled again in macOS 15, among other UI tweaks
Apple is going to rearrange menus and app UIs across macOS 15, with System Settings seeing the biggest reorganization since the app was redesigned.macOS 15 will introduce a new icon for Siri and a layout change for System SettingsFor its upcoming operating systems, Apple has decided to make changes to the built-in System Settings application. Individual settings within the app will be reorganized based on priority and overall importance, people familiar with the matter have told AppleInsider.For example, the section which encompasses notifications and sound settings will be moved lower in the list. The move is accompanied by different music and audio-related improvements, including smart song transitions and a new "Passthrough" feature for certain audio hardware. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Tap to Pay on iPhone now available in Canada, enabling merchants to accept payments using nothing more than an iPhone
Tap to Pay on iPhone is continuing its rollout to more countries. Less than a week after the service debuted in Japan, Apple is bringing seamless, iPhone-centric contactless payments to Canada. more…

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Folding touchscreen MacBook might come in two large sizes
Apple's folding MacBook could come with a huge or a gigantic touchscreen. But the all-screen design won't have a visible crease. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple’s M5 foldable-display MacBook expected to feature 18.76-inch screen, similar to 13-inch Air when folded
Today hot on the heels of a Ming-Chi Kuo report about the rumored foldable-display MacBook set for 2026, analyst Ross Young has followed up with a report of his own. In a post on X for subscribers, Young shared that Apple has decided to go with a slightly smaller display size than originally planned. The MacBook’s foldable display is now expected to measure 18.76 inches, down from the original 20.25-inch model. more…

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A great replacement button remote for Apple TV [Updated Review] ★★★★☆
If you hate the fiddly Apple TV Siri Remote, Function 101's Button Remote for Apple TV might be your perfect Apple TV remote replacement. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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ExpressVPN review
Macworld At a GlanceExpert's Rating ProsSimple to use on all platformsBig focus on privacy and transparency105 countriesConsA little barebonesOur VerdictExpressVPN is fast and simple to get to grips with, offering a great way to get around geoblocking at a reasonable price. While the Mac app is a little basic, that’s arguably part of its charm – you open it, click, and go, but you will miss out on additional features like antivirus tools offered by some rivals. Price When ReviewedFrom $8.32 a month for one year + 3 free months. Usually $12.95 a month.. Best Prices Today: ExpressVPN Retailer Price ExpressVPN $8.32 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket In our time appraising VPNs this year, we’ve found that ExpressVPN is also held up in the community. As one of the biggest names in the game, alongside NordVPN, we were always going to review it, but could it really be that much more impressive than so many of its rivals to earn such a glowing reputation? As it happens, the answer is yes. While ExpressVPN isn’t without its quirks, as so many VPNs are, it’s remarkably easy to use, stripped bare of additional features on the Mac to be boiled down into the simplest way to connect to servers in over a hundred countries. To roll it back, though, why would you want a Virtual Private Network? Reasons to use a VPN are threefold at the basest level. For one, you can circumnavigate geoblocking, letting you watch whatever’s on Netflix in the UK while you remain comfy on your sofa in California, for example. It’s also a great way to protect your data while browsing the web from a network that’s public or unfamiliar. Heading to the coffee shop? A VPN can encrypt your connection to minimize the risk of prying eyes. Finally, even when you’re browsing at home, they can minimize the chances of your internet provider or just about anyone else seeing what you’re doing. What I love about ExpressVPN is you can do just about all of this with two or three clicks at most. It even does well to mitigate some of the speed lost from pinging your data off to distant lands, dropping less than 13% of download speed in our testing. Combine that with a relatively decent price for a one-year membership and you’ve got an ideal first stop for VPN newcomers. ExpressVPN features in our round-up of the Best VPNs for Mac. It’s also included in our Best VPN for iPhone and Best VPNs for iPad articles. Features & Apps Server Choice: There are over 100 countries with ExpressVPN servers. Server Choice: There are over 100 countries with ExpressVPN servers.Foundry Server Choice: There are over 100 countries with ExpressVPN servers.Foundry Foundry As you’d expect from a household name, ExpressVPN has native apps on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, Android, Windows, and just about anything else. If you’ve got a smart device, there’s a good chance ExpressVPN can run on it, and that’s handled through an account-specific Activation Code that’s easy to set up. You can use it on eight devices at once, which is a step up from the five that it used to offer – although disappointingly you won’t be able to get unlimited devices like something like Surfshark. It’s worth noting that, outside of encrypting your connection to minimize the presence of “bad actors”, there’s no Malware protection on offer here, although you can install a password manager called ExpressVPN Keys. Both ExpressVPN and its password manager have browser plugin support, too, so you can use either from within your browser of choice. Outside of that, though, ExpressVPN is refreshingly simple. There are no subscription tiers, no convoluted add-ons, and you can open the app or use the menu bar item on a Mac to get browsing safely and securely in seconds. With that said, if you do want that sort of safety net for malware, something like NordVPN might be worth a look instead. Or take a look at our round-up of the Best Antivirus for Mac. Opening up ExpressVPN is much faster than some competitors we’ve tested, with a slick animation when you hit the “on” button to connect to your chosen server. It’ll add a series of shortcuts to apps and sites you use often, too, letting you quickly hop to them when you’re connected, and there are Advanced Protection features, too – more on those in a moment. I’ve also had great experiences with the 24-hour live chat. Within minutes I can be connected to a real human (no chatbots, hooray!) and able to discuss any issues. Performance Speed Tests: You can run speed tests on any server in the world. Speed Tests: You can run speed tests on any server in the world.Foundry Speed Tests: You can run speed tests on any server in the world.Foundry Foundry To set expectations – NordVPN remains faster than ExpressVPN. Its loss of around 12% of download speed is pretty hard to beat, but 13% on ExpressVPN’s part is still better than many. VPNs will always experience some speed loss simply because you are routing your traffic to a server in another country. ExpressVPN offers no fewer than six different choices for protocol (including the automatic option). Lightway, the company’s own option, is rapid. That’s going to net you the best speeds, but for compatibility, you can switch to another version of Lightway or OpenVPN – although we lost 24% of speed using the latter. It’s worth noting that Advanced Protection features will disable OpenVPN and IKEv2. The tradeoff is that these features can block trackers, malicious sites, ads, and adult sites. That’s great for families using Express for all of their browsing activity, adding additional peace of mind. In my testing, I’ve not found much that Lightway couldn’t handle, too, so it may end up being much simpler to just leave the automatic setting on. You can also run speedtests within the app on multiple server locations to get an idea of what to expect when connecting, and that’s handy for countries with multiple server locations. Privacy & Security IP Address Checker: The IP address checker opens in a browser window, rather than in the app. IP Address Checker: The IP address checker opens in a browser window, rather than in the app.Foundry IP Address Checker: The IP address checker opens in a browser window, rather than in the app.Foundry Foundry Circumnavigating geoblocks is great and all, but it means little if your VPN doesn’t offer some degree of privacy. The company is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, meaning it’s free from the majority of intelligence-sharing agencies’ jurisdiction, while it also operates a no-log policy. It doesn’t have anything like the PureVPN “always-on” audit process, but it undergoes regular audits each year. There’s a sizeable section of the ExpressVPN site with a focus on security, transparency, audits, and more, too, called the Trust Centre. The company also operates a “bug bounty” program to reward anyone capable of finding vulnerabilities in its apps, servers, website or anything else. It’s worth noting, however, that using something like the IP address checker or DNS leak test within the app takes you to a separate webpage, which is a shame – but maybe that’s the price you pay for a faster native macOS experience. Pricing and plans ExpressVPN’s pricing is a little of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s more expensive than many of its contemporaries and doesn’t allow access from unlimited devices as some do. On the other hand, you get a solid, speedy connection with minimal fuss and optional extras, and you don’t have to tie-in for a two-year deal to get the best value. That latter point is important because VPN legislation can change regularly depending on which way the wind is blowing, although at least you tend to get prices locked in for the duration of your plan. Still, the 12-month option here is likely to suffice for many, although it’ll cost more than comparable alternatives. Verdict ExpressVPN is an easy-to-use, fast VPN service with plenty of protection from prying eyes and dodgy coffee shop Wi-Fi, as well as near-limitless potential for enjoying streaming services in any of its server locations across 105 countries. Even with the fairly steep pricing, it’s very easy to recommend for its no-nonsense approach to a VPN. MacOS, Security Software and Services, VPN

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Apple considering multiple sizes for all-screen foldable MacBook
After years of rumors, Apple's all-screen folding MacBook may be getting closer to reality, and could also be offered in multiple sizes.A generated image of a foldable MacBook conceptThe folding MacBook, which could resemble a large iPad with a foldable mid section, may be a few years away from release. Even so, Apple is preparing its supply chain for its production.In a Thursday supply chain report from Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is considering a 20.25-inch display option. However, it may also use an 18.8-inch display panel as well. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Affinity update adds QR code generator, variable font support
Affinity 2.5 is here, with a handful of new tools including a QR code generator, some user experience upgrades, and support for ARM on Windows.Affinity's new QR code generatorAffinity, known for its line of creative software geared toward photographers and designers, has rolled out Affinity 2.5, the first update since the company was acquired by Canva in March.The new update brings a new QR code generator to all three programs, allowing users to quickly add codes to their documents. The codes can be scanned to perform actions, such as visiting websites, initiating phone calls, sharing contact info vCards, or launching FaceTime or WhatsApp. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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